Adelaide and Mariners light up new dawn

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Two upset victories for Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide
United ushered in the A-League era last night.

The Mariners secured a 1-0 win at Perth Glory in front of 11,113
fans after Adelaide had shocked Newcastle United 1-0 in the
league's historic first match.

More than 16 months after the demise of the old National Soccer
League, Adelaide's Carl Veart etched his name into the record books
with the A-League's first goal, to disappoint much of the 13,160
crowd at EnergyAustralia stadium.

A wonder strike from skipper Noel Spencer was enough to earn the
Mariners the points against Perth at Members Equity Stadium.
Spencer's 65th-minute piledriver from the edge of the box had too
much venom and swerve for Glory keeper Jason Petkovic.

Six days after they beat the Glory in the pre-season final,
Central Coast repeated the feat, and the scoreline, and few would
argue it was a victory they deserved. But for poor finishing, and a
curious decision from referee Ben Williams to rule out what seemed
a legitimate first-half goal, the Mariners might have produced an
even more convincing scoreline.

A team which continues to defy the doubters produced a trademark
combination of hard work, self-belief and clever possession play to
overcome a Perth side which started well but faded in the second
half.

Perth's star signing from England, Brian Deane, showed enough to
suggest his muscular presence will be a valuable asset, but
otherwise the home team lacked the variety to penetrate a resolute
Central Coast defence.

For Socceroos hopeful Michael Beauchamp, who will join the
national squad next week as a train-on player, the contest with
Deane was especially valuable. In front of watching Socceroos
assistant coach Graham Arnold, Beauchamp overcome a difficult
initiation to eventually win his duel with Deane, most of it played
out in the air.

Earlier, in Newcastle, two local legends had helped to kick off
the A-League, with Knights NRL superstar Andrew Johns on hand to
get the new competition under way as England great Alan Shearer, of
the other Newcastle United, sent his best wishes via satellite.

Former Socceroo Johnny Warren, who before his death last year
was one of the driving forces behind the creation of a new league,
was also recognised with a minute's silence.

Football Federation Australia powerbrokers Frank Lowy and John
O'Neill have set the goal of achieving 10,000-plus crowds for the
new season, and Newcastle delivered at their first attempt as the
hype gave way to action.

Veart forever left his mark when he headed home a pinpoint Ross
Aloisi cross in the 19th minute. The Adelaide striker split
Newcastle defenders Allan Picken and Jade North with a scything run
into the penalty area before flicking Aloisi's chip past keeper
Liam Reddy to give his side a deserved lead.

The Jets' best chance of an equaliser came two minutes later
when Mark Bridge, Matthew Thompson and Ante Milicic each unleashed
efforts inside the penalty box. The first two were brilliantly
saved by United keeper Daniel Beltrame, with defender Adam van
Dommele eventually clearing the area.

Adelaide midfielder Louis Brain also wrote his name in the
record books by being the first player booked in an A-League match
- his clumsy challenge on Paul Kohler leading to referee Peter
O'Leary issuing a yellow card in the third minute.

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1124563032858-smh.com.auhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/football/adelaide-and-mariners-light-up-new-dawn/2005/08/26/1124563032858.htmlsmh.com.auAAP2005-08-27Adelaide and Mariners light up new dawnMichael CockerillSportFootball